UK Allergy Therapeutics Market Analysis

UK Allergy Therapeutics Market Executive Summary

UK allergy therapeutics market was valued at $603 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to reach $851 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period.

Allergens are substances in the environment that can occasionally cause an immune response. Common allergens include dust mites, pollen, mold, and certain foods, including milk, eggs, soy, and almonds. Allergy reactions can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from mild symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes to more serious ones like anaphylaxis, which can cause unconsciousness and breathing difficulties. Among the potential treatment options are immunotherapy, the avoidance of allergens, and prescription medications such as nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines.

With one-third of the population, or 20 Mn, suffering from allergies and 5 Mn having severe illnesses requiring specialized care, the allergy landscape in the UK poses a serious health risk. 150 Mn people struggle with allergies, and estimates suggest that by 2025, half of all Europeans will suffer from allergic reactions. It is alarming to note that the number of British children with eczema and allergic rhinitis has tripled in the last 30 years, and 600,000 British children suffer from celiac disease. About half of the population in the UK suffers from seasonal hay fever, and allergies have a significant financial impact on the National Health Service (NHS), costing about $1149 Mn a year. 3% to 6% of children suffer from allergies, while among breastfed infants, the prevalence of food allergies is 7.1%. Interestingly, 1 in 40 people get peanut allergies, and 1 in 20 people get egg allergies. Allergies to cow's milk, or lactose intolerance, are common and especially affect young children. Roughly 60% of people in the UK suffer from some form of skin illness, with atopic dermatitis being the most common type that affects babies and toddlers. Surprisingly, food allergies include 40% of newborns and early children with atopic dermatitis; foods that cause allergies typically include eggs, cow's milk, soy, and wheat (around 90%)

ALM101 is an innovative grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet. ALK Abello launched a Phase III trial in October 2023 to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment for people with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergy rhinitis. This groundbreaking research, which is being conducted in several European nations, including the UK, might potentially present a quicker and more practical alternative for treating allergies than traditional liquid SLIT drops. If ALM101 proves to be effective, it could represent a substantial breakthrough in allergy treatments, offering a simpler and more approachable remedy for people struggling with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Prevalence of Allergies: Allergies affect a significant portion of the UK population. Around 20% of adults and 30% of children suffer from at least one type of allergy. The market for allergy treatment medications is driven by this broad need for treatments.

Rising Awareness and Diagnosis: An increasing number of people are actively seeking treatment for their allergies as a result of enhanced diagnostic techniques and public awareness efforts. This involves more accessibility to allergy experts and a greater range of allergy testing options.

Advancements in Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT): The emergence of innovative alternatives, such as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) pills and patches, offers hope for longer-lasting relief with fewer adverse effects. This creates new market segments for these cutting-edge treatments.

Market Restraints

High Cost of Treatment: The cost of allergy treatment, especially AIT methods like immunotherapy injections and SLIT tablets, can make it unaffordable for certain people. This may restrict accessibility and commercial penetration. Due to their exorbitant cost, many of the most effective allergy therapies now available, like biologics and sublingual immunotherapy, are out of reach for a significant portion of the population. Due to the pricing barrier, patients might not receive the best care possible because fewer medications will be accepted by the market.

Cultural and Behavioural Factors: Market penetration may be hampered by certain groups preference for traditional medications or home cures over contemporary treatments. Decreased community awareness could lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment since it could be harder to identify and comprehend allergy symptoms. Despite these drawbacks, there is growing interest in using non-pharmaceutical methods to lessen allergens and/or get rid of allergy symptoms, like air filters.

Long-Term Treatment Commitment: For best results, allergen immunotherapies frequently necessitate a lengthy commitment, lasting anywhere from months to years. Those who have trouble adhering to treatment plans or who might not see relief right away may find this difficult.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The national regulatory body, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), evaluates and approves marketing authorizations to guarantee the efficacy, safety, and quality of pharmaceuticals, including medications used to treat allergies. The National Health Service (NHS) follows guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has an impact on treatment plans and insurance decisions related to allergy drugs. NHS England is responsible for managing healthcare policies and service delivery, in conjunction with devolved health administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The strategic orientation of healthcare policy in England is supervised by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Professional associations like the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the General Medical Council (GMC) also provide guidelines for medical practitioners who prescribe and dispense allergy medications. Businesses looking to get approval for allergy drugs have to follow NICE recommendations and MHRA regulations, and assessments from different organizations in the devolved countries have an impact on reimbursement choices.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
• AstraZeneca
• Johnson & Johnson
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Merck & Co.
• Roche
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• AbbVie